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(No Model.)

G. E. MARKS. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

No. 470,431. Patented Mar. 8, 189 2.

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Nrrn STATES PATENT FFICE.

ARTIFICIAL LI M B.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,431, dated March 8,1892..

Application filed March 18, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MARKS, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invent ed certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs,of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in artificial limbs; and itconsists, first, of an artificial limb having the body or socket or thesocket and core made of aluminum, and, second, of an artificial limbhaving at its end a core combined with a rubber or other pliable hand orfoot adapted to be removably secured on said core, the whole beingconstructed and arranged as hereinafter more particularly described.

The objects of the invention are to secure strength and durability inthe limb, to re11-' der it water-proof and noiseless in use, and toproduce a limb which will neither become foul nor decay, which willefiectually resist the action of the moisture from the stump and ofclimatic influences, and which will materially promote the health andcomfort of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to prod uce a rubber foot which maybe attached to the core of the leg by the wearer without diffioulty, andthus enable the user when one rubber foot has become worn to replace itby another without incurring the expense and delays incident tothemethods heretofore known of applying a new foot to an artificial leg.

The limb constructed in accordance with the invention is of greatbenefit and utility, and is the result of careful and long-continu edstudy and experiment.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation,partly in section, of an artificial leg embodying the invention; Fig. 2,acentral vertical section of a modified form of leg constructed inaccordance with the invention; Fig. 3, a perspective view of same; Fig.4, a central vertical section of a further modified form of artificialleg embodying the invention; Fig. 5, a perspective view of same, partlybroken away; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of an artificial arm embodyingcertain features of the invention.

Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, illustrate artificial legs particularly adaptedfor such amputations as Symes, Pirogoffs, Ohoparts, and

Serial No. 385,488. (No model.)

Heys, Fig. 1 presenting an inclosed socket for the stump of the wearer,Figs. 2 and 3 a socket which is open in front, and Figs. 4 and 5 asocket which opens rearwardly.

The body of the leg A and its core B are integral, and-consist of ahollow cast shell of aluminum, the core B being adapted to receive andafford a bearing for the end of the stump and to carry the rubber foot0.

As above indicated, the body of the leg A (shown in Fig. 1) incloses thestump on all sides, while in the use of the leg illustrated in Figs. 2tot, inclusive, the stump is partly inclosed by the sections of lacedleather D.

The rubber foot 0 (shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) is made hollow with aninterior whose outline conforms to that of the core B, which is closelyenveloped by the foot. The sole a and toe portions 1) of the foot 0 areof appropriate thickness, and from these parts there extends upward overthe core B the thinner inclosingcasing d, which firmly binds upon thecore and sustains the foot in place.

The foot 0 advantageously dispenses with the use of ankle-joints in thelegs, and is of great importance in that its core-enveloping portiondrenders the same readily removable from the leg, and hence when one foothas become worn the user may easily and at small expense substituteanother for it.

The core B of the leg shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is cast with a cavity toreceive the wooden core e, which is held in place by rivets f andcarries the rubber foot 0, the latter being ce mented or otherwisesecured to the wooden core. For a leg of the form'shown in Figs. 4 and 5the use of the Wooden coreeis rendered desirable, since thereby theminimum amount of aluminum need be used, and a satisfactory surface isprovided for the attachment of the rubber foot. It will be observed thatthe aluminum and rubber completely inclose the wooden core 6 and thatthe latter is effectually protected from moisture.

' In the construction of all of the legs presented in the drawings myobject has been to secure strength and durability in the leg and healthand comfort to the wearer at the minimum expense. The aluminum leg orsocket I have discovered to be of prime importance in the art to whichthe invention pertains, since it will neither foul, corrode, or decayunder the action of moisture from the stump or the effectof externaldampness or climatic lnfluences. It is clean, healthful, durable, and ofgreat benefit and advantage to the cripple. The rubber foot shown inFigs. 1, 2, and 3 may be easily applied by the wearer without theexpenses, discomfort, and delays incident to sending the leg to themanufacturer for repairs.

In the use of the legs shown there will be no rattling noises and nojoints to give way or become loose. The legs will stand the great strainto which, particularly when worn by laboring-men, they are subjected,and may be worn with comfort for a great many years without repair orexpense.

In Fig. 6, H designates an armsocket, made of an aluminum shell, havingthe core I, indicated by dotted lines, and carryingthe rubber hand J,which has a thin enveloping portion K closely binding the core I andaffording a means whereby the hand may be detachably secured to the arm,if desired.

The aluminum socket H presents all of the advantages described abovewithlrespect to the socket for the leg, although it may be mentionedthat in regardto the leg the socket is compelled to and does meetcertain requirements not necessarily incident to the arm.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An artificial limb the socket of which consists of a shell ofaluminum, substantially as set forth.

2. An artificial limb the socket and core of Which are integral andconsist of a shell of aluminum, substantially as set forth.

3. An artificial leg consisting'of the socket and core in one'piece,combined with the detachable rubber foot having the solid sole and toeportion, and a thinner section enveloping said core, substantially asand for the purposes set forth..

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 17th day of March, A. D. 1891.

GEORGE E. MARKS.

Witnesses:

CHAs. C. GILL, ED. D. MILLER.

